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From: conan@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (Robert Faulkner)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Re: Anti-Balistic Missiles Now
Message-ID: <1990Dec15.012303.13631@cbnews.att.com>
Date: 15 Dec 90 01:23:03 GMT
References: <1990Dec13.032837.18539@cbnews.att.com>
Sender: military@cbnews.att.com (William B. Thacker)
Organization: University of Texas ccwf.cc.utexas.edu
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Approved: military@att.att.com



From: conan@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (Robert Faulkner)


>    First line of defense is about 300 miles from the aircraft carrier;
>       F-14 Tomcats shoot down bombers carrying missiles. Tomcats are 
>       directed to enemy bombers by early warning aircrafts and ships.

Not all carriers fly the F-14, you are also looking at the F-18 and the
Sea Harriers for the LHA and LHD class ships.  Also, a serious threat
is the LRM capability of the Soviet BEAR and BACKFIRES, which can strike
from further out the 300 miles. And with todays radar and intelligence
we would probably know when they were taking off from there home base.

>    Second line of defense is about 100 miles from the aircraft carrier;
>       guided missile cruisers shoot down bombers carrying missiles.

Other class ships shoot down Aircraft, what about the KNOX and Perry
Class Frigate along with several classes of Destroyers.  And who is gonna
knock out the SUB's who now can launch surface-surface anti-ship missiles.

    Third, and last, line of defense is the CIWS (Close-In-Weapon-Systems)
       installed on aircraft carriers (and also other capital ships).
       CIWSs utilize Gatling machine guns to shoot down oncoming missiles.

There is also CHAF to prevent hits at the 200 yard range.  

I was just on the MIDWAY for 2 years and although we did have an alert 5 
aircraft on deck and ready for strike (CAT LAUNCH) at anytime.  The most 
available weapons platform was the LRM Missile coverage provided by the 
picket SHIPS.  These are usually anywhere from 15 to 100 miles away from 
CV to provide missile ad aircraft coverage.  You must remeber by the time
you get the Alert aircraft launched, enemy weapons could already be fired. 

I am happy to reply to any enquiries.

Robert G. Faulkner
-- 

Robert Faulkner                              conan@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu
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